Big Business Is Hiring AI Security Chiefs, but Who Is Accountable for AI Is Still Unclear

A head of AI security role now exists in 65% of large organisations with annual revenue of $10bn or more, according to research by IANS and Artico Search. About 18% of these firms have made it a dedicated position, while 47% combine it with another leadership role. The researchers called it "one of the fastest emerging functional roles". The position is far less common in smaller firms: 9% of organisations with $1-$10bn in revenue and 6% of those under $1bn.

Despite this growth, the report, published on October 20, found that overall accountability for enterprise AI governance remains unsettled. CISOs hold primary accountability in 26% of small businesses, 11% of medium firms and 7% of large organisations. In large businesses, chief AI officers are most often accountable, at 22%. Across all three size tiers, 14-19% of organisations said no single executive is accountable. Most have also not fully put in place a board committee for AI ethics or responsible AI, with 43-48% saying none is planned.

Steve Martano of IANS and Artico Search said organisations need to restructure security teams so governance keeps pace with rapid AI adoption. He advised businesses to consider whether they can build the expertise internally before turning to an increasingly competitive external hiring market. The report also found that experience level is the biggest driver of pay differences in the same role, ahead of company size and location.